SNEAK A DRINK (2) was second at this level twice on Polytrack at Turfway and any repeat of either of those efforts would make her a top contender today. MS LORA (4) showed nothing last out, but was a good third as the favorite against a similar field prior to that. POSITIVE CAT (1) has had many chances to get the elusive first win but does not catch a tough group today and has run well enough to have to be considered again.
2-4-1
Race 2
ECCENTRIC GIRL (1) was third after she pressed the pace in a similar starter allowance race at Keeneland. She gets a shorter trip today and has the speed to be a factor from the beginning from her inside post. GO GO DIABLO (3) was claimed out of good winning effort last out and certainly has the credentials to be a good fit with this group. She was a three-time winner last summer on traditional dirt surfaces and looks like a top contender here. LEES MIST (4) gets leading rider Leparoux in the saddle and will be looking to close quickly from off the pace should the front runners begin to falter.
1-3-4
Race 3
CIELO SONG (7) comes right back in similar conditions off a front-running score opening week and looks like he can be competitive again on either the turf or main track. He is versatile and can rate just off the pace if someone else wants the lead. BRENIN GWALIA (5) is another with proven turf sprint form. He will be hoping for a strong pace up front as he doesn't appear to be quite as quick as some others in here. GREASE MONKEY (8) makes his turf debut but has shown an affinity for Polytrack, which suggests he should handle the grass today. He has good speed and has been a factor against better company.
7-5-8
Race 4
The Steve Asmussen juvenile arsenal has finally started to heat up on the Kentucky circuit and he sends out two live contenders in this spot. RETAP (2) is a Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred with a pedigree to be precocious. CHAPEL RUN (1) had the misfortune of running into Mr. Mistofflees, the most impressive 2-year-old winner so far this year, but held his own to finish a distant second. He has the advantage of a start, but must get away from the gate sharper today. AWESOME PREACHER (6) is bred to run further than today’s five furlongs, but has to be considered as a stablemate of the top pick.
2-1-6
Race 5
POLAR PAUL (7) is the most lightly-raced runner in this conditioned claimer and has done little wrong in those three starts. He is in good form today as he drops in class today for new connections and could provide some value in a well-matched field. MERITOCRACY (3) has done his best running over the Churchill Downs surface and could return to form here. He is better than his dull effort last out and should be forwardly placed with this group. HIGHEST DEGREE (2) drops in class today for the McPeek stable, which is off to a strong start at the meet. He has shown nothing in his 2008 races, but was a winner here last fall against better on the grass.
7-3-2
Race 6
STANTON (4) just missed at this level here last out and a re peat of that effort gives him a big chance today. He needs a well-timed ride so he does not hang in the stretch when he makes his move. CUPID’S HONOUR (6) finished well behind the top pick last out, but could be closer with today’s added distance. SEA OF SPICES (5) makes his Churchill Downs debut and gets in light with the bug rider Rodriguez aboard. He could hit the board at decent odds and his chances improve if the track is wet.
4-6-5
Race 7
ICETATE (8) broke poorly in his Fair Grounds debut and was unable to make up ground on a runaway winner that would return to win again. A quicker start from the outside gives him an advantage in this field. PRIVATE GENTLEMAN (7) looks like a well-meant first-time starter from the Foley barn. He has the pedigree to be effective early on and leading rider Leparoux is up, which improves his chances even more. IN A BREEZE (5) broke in tangle last out and was far behind the field early. Prior to that he had shown tactical speed and with a better start today should be a factor from just off the pace.
8-7-5
Race 8
ROUTE (4) ran evenly in his first start of the year and his fitness should be improved. He tries the turf, which should be his preferred surface as a son of grass sire Dynaformer out of a Lord at War mare. GO WEST BERT (7) has improved since being switched to the grass and could have a slight pace advantage with the temporary rail up. Expect him to be placed in a perfect tactical spot with some speed in here to lead the way. BLUE LION (1) was not far off the second choice last out and is capable of a better effort today from the rail. He won a strong maiden allowance race at Gulfstream from just off the pace, but will need to be closer than last out to be a factor in the lane.
4-7-1
Race 9
WEST EXPRESS (7) was a hard-fought winner over a runner who came back to win in his next start. He was less than six lengths behind Withers winner and Preakness possible Harlem Rocker in his first start of the year and looks capable of the step up face winners. MUTADDA (2) and TENKILLER LAKE (3) turned in big efforts from off the pace and were unlucky to lose their most recent races. A strong pace is possible here and they should be running down the lane. TALE Z (6) has good speed and ran two strong races at Oaklawn. The question is whether he can carry his speed an extra furlong.
7-2-3
Value Plays
Race 3
HOLD THE SALT (2) returns following a four month layoff for trainer James Dodgen. Larry Melancon gets the mount and is always dangerous on the turf. This gelding loves the track and should be ready to run big after firing a bullet.
Let’s play Hold the Salt (2) across the board at 4-1 or up. Suggest using Cielo Song (7) in exotics.
Race 8
ROUTE (3) is making his fourth career start for trainer Al Stall and tries the turf for the first time. The son of Dynaformer should enjoy the surface change, and gets Julien Leparoux aboard. He should be sharp after firing a bullet at Keeneland on the 7th.
Let’s play Route (3) across the board at 7-2 or up. Suggest using Horse Doctor (2), Go West Bert (7) and Doctor Cal (10) in exotics.
Race 9
TENKILLER LAKE (3) should be ready for a win after three consecutive second place finishes. The son of Red Bullet gets Robby Albarado aboard again, who has started out well this meet. Look for this colt to run big for conditioner David Carroll.
Let’s play Tenkiller Lake (3) across the board at 4-1 or up. Suggest using Unjust (1), Tale Z (6) and Mutadda (2) in exotics.
